Multipurpose shaped pitcher and surgical kit and wrap system

ABSTRACT

The surgical kit contains a pair of nested circular basins, one or more nested kidney-shaped pans, and one or more nested heart-shaped pitchers. Other surgical needs may also be packed in the basin. A drape having a sterile side is wrapped around the basin with the sterile side inward and a double fold therein. The basin is placed in a ring stand, and when the drape is unwrapped, the sterile side is outward. When there are two nested basins, a double ring stand is employed and the double fold is pulled out to cover the entire double ring stand.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a kit having therein at least some of thematerials required for a particular surgical procedure, including abasin, a pitcher within the basin, and a drape wrapped around the basinand pitcher therein so that when the drape is unwrapped, the basin isexposed and the sterile side of the wrap is presented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern operating room procedures employ surgical kits which containtherein at least some of the equipment needed in association with theprocedure. When a particular surgical procedure is defined, theequipment is brought together and is wrapped and sterilized. This kit istaken into the operating room to provide at least some of the equipmentand materials needed for the procedure. Different surgeons and differentprocedures require different sets of material, and thus a variety ofkits is available.

In connection with such kits, it is necessary to provide compactpackaging so as to minimize storage space before use, and provideequipment which is of the desired utility for the surgical procedure.These material or equipment items are preferably of such nature as to bedisposable so that they are destroyed after use. In order to maximizeutility, it is desirable to provide a kit which has multiple usecapability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to aid in the understanding of this invention, it can be statedin essentially summary form that it is directed to a multipurpose shapedpitcher and a surgical kit and wrap system. The pitcher is symmetricallyheart-shaped with a larger radius to fit the inside of a basin in whichit is packed and a smaller radius to fit against the kidney-shaped panalso within the same basin. The wrapped system includes a fold in adrape with a drape wrapped around the basin. The drape is sized tounwrap and cover a single ring stand when the fold is in place and tocover a double ring stand when the fold is pulled out of the drape.

It is thus an object and advantage of this invention to provide a shapedpitcher which readily fits within a surgical kit including a basin andis sized so that it can be readily handled in one hand and pours from apointed spout defined by its multi-radius configuration.

It is another object and advantage of this invention to provide a wrapsystem for a surgical kit wherein the drape employed in the wrap systemhas a double fold so that when the double fold is left in place, thedrape is of a size to fit over a single ring stand, and when the doublefold is pulled out, the drape is sized to fit over a double ring stand.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, togetherwith further objects and advantages thereof, may be best understood byreference to the following description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the unitary surgical kit including amultipurpose shaped pitcher in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded isometric view of the surgical kit.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged section of the multipurpose shaped pitcher of thisinvention, as seen generally along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the multipurpose shaped pitcher.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail of the multipurpose shaped pitcher, as seengenerally along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2, with parts broken away.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view showing a surgical kit projected above thewrapping drape in which it is to be wrapped.

FIG. 7 is a similar view showing the surgical kit above the wrappingdrape after the first pair of folds is made in the wrapping drape.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 showing a further subsequent step in thewrapping of the basin.

FIG. 9 shows the wrapped basin in association with the ring stand.

FIG. 10 is a similar view showing the wrapped basin placed in the ringstand with the unwrapping commencing.

FIG. 11 is a similar view showing the next unwrapping step.

FIG. 12 is a similar view showing a further unwrapping step.

FIG. 13 is a similar view showing the basin fully unwrapped.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view showing a surgical kit placed within adouble ring stand.

FIG. 15 is a similar view showing the beginning of the unwrapping of thedrape.

FIG. 16 is a similar view showing the next-to-the last wrapping step.

FIG. 17 is a similar view showing the completion of the unwrapping.

FIG. 18 is a section taken generally along the line 18--18 showing thetwo basins on the wrap on a double ring stand.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Single ring stand 10 is shown in FIG. 9. It has a ring 12 at the top forthe support of a surgical kit. The wrapped kit is generally indicated at14 in FIG. 9. Legs 16 of the ring stand support the ring 12 above thefloor at a convenient height for use in surgery. The wrapped kit 16includes the wrapping 18, which serves as a ring stand drape whenunwrapped, as later described.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show circular basin 20, which is the largest part of thesurgical kit, which is generally indicated at 22 in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thebasin 20, as seen in FIG. 2, has tapered circular side walls 24 whichterminate in a bottom 26. The basin preferably has a top rim 28. Thecircular side walls have a radius R at the top rim and are tapered forconvenient molding and for nesting of several such basins. In FIG. 2,the basin 20 is shown as being raised above an identical basin 30 inwhich it had been nested and raised for this exploded view. The outerdiameter of the basins 20 and 30 underneath the rim is such as to fitloosely within the ring 12 of ring stand 10.

Kidney-shaped pan 32, seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, is shaped to fit within thebasin. It has an outer wall 34 surmounted by rim 36 and an inner wall38. The walls are closed by bottom 40. The walls are of the same taperas the side wall 26 of the basin, and the curvature of the outer wall 34is on the same center as the curvature of the basin side walls so thatthe rim 36 engages directly against the basin side wall. The depth ofthe pan is less than the depth of the basin so that the pan may fitwithin the basin to provide space within the pan and above the pan forthe packing of additional materials, such as clamps, sponges, surgicaldrapes, and/or surgical instruments. Several surgical instruments areshown in dashed lines within the pan in FIG. 1. For the case where twosuch pans are helpful, for example when there are two basins, a secondpan 42 has the pan 32 nested therein.

Pitcher 44, seen in FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, is the upper pitcher whichnests within the lower pitcher 46, seen in FIG. 2, provided when twosuch pitchers are helpful or required. The pitchers 44 and 46 areidentical, and their side walls are sufficiently conical so as to aid inmolding and permit nesting. As is seen in particular in FIGS. 3 and 4,pitcher 44 has side walls 48 and 50 which are the same curvature R sothat they fit within and against the interior of the basin side walls,as is seen in FIG. 1. A very small rim 52 is provided on the pitcherside walls so that they fit closely within the circular basin. The sidewalls 48 and 50 are respectively curved around the radius center points54 and 56 shown in FIG. 4. Since the side walls 48 and 50 are of thesame radius R but about separated center points, the curved side wallsmeet at a pouring point 58. The side walls 60 and 62 are respectivelycurved around center points 64 and 66 on radius r. The tangent pointbetween the two curves is substantially at center points 54 and 56 toprovide a smooth curve. The radius r is substantially the same as thecurvature of the inner wall of kidney-shaped pan 32, and the totaldistance across the pitcher 44 and kidney-shaped pan 32 is substantiallyequal to the distance across the basin 22 so that when the smallercurved side wall of the pitcher fits within the curve of the inner wall38 of the pan, the pitcher and pan fit closely within the basin toconserve space.

The curved walls 60 and 62 may join in straight section tangent to bothof the curves, but is preferably indented to define the heart shapeshown in FIG. 4. This heart shape provides an inwardly directed point 68which serves as a tactile reference point for grasp and determining thecenter of the back of the pitcher. FIG. 4 is a bottom view and shows theindented surface 70 towards the bottom 72 of the pitcher. This indentedsurface is large enough to receive the tips of the four fingers of thehand which is used to pick up the pitcher. The indented surface 70 isroughened, as seen in FIG. 4. Complementing the indented surface isgrasp flange 74, which extends outward as a rim at the back of thepitcher above the indented surface 70. Grasp flange 74 is sufficientlylarge as to be grasped by the thumb and is also roughened, as is seen inFIG. 2.

Pitcher 44 may be transparent or opaque. It has molded on the surfacethereof graduations 76. Preferably, these graduations are formed on bothsides of the pitcher, as seen in FIG. 2. When transparent, thegraduations can be read from both the inside and out. When opaque, thegraduations are preferably formed on the inside surface so as toaccurately read the liquid level therein. Two pitchers are furnishedwith each kit, and they may be of different colors to indicate differentcontents. For example, one can be furnished in transparent material toact as a graduate, and the other may be furnished of opaque material toserve as a sponge bowl. The pitchers are suitable for various operatingroom purposes. For example, they may be used as a sponge bowl, a salinebowl, or as a graduated pitcher. The pitcher is of such size as toadequately hold sponges and sufficient fluid as to be useful and avoiddanger of spillage. The graduations provide accurate measurement ofcontents. Furthermore, the provision of the graduations on two oppositesides allows visual inspection of the fluid level without having to turnthe pitcher. The pouring spout 58 ensure the capability of pouring asteady, accurate stream of liquid, and the indented grasp surface andthe grasp flange are anatomically designed to permit safe handling ofthe pitcher. Furthermore, its low height resists tipping of it isbumped.

As discussed above, the kit 22 can contain a variety of materials andequipment which are useful in surgery. Most of the items are included induplicate so that enough will be available for the surgery, and eventhough more may be available than is absolutely required, stock andsupply of the kits is more readily achieved. For example, two basins arepreferably included, two kidney-shaped pans, and two pitchers arepreferably included. The pitchers may be employed as graduates for thereceipt and dispensing of liquid or may be employed as sponge bowls. Forthis multiple usage, they may be made of visually different material sothat the different usage is readily distinguished. For example, one maybe made of a transparent material, and another of opaque to distinguishthese utilizations. Various other materials useful in the operating roomare preferably also enclosed. Such additional materials are medicinecups, surgical blades, sponges, needle counter, gloves, markers, labels,suture bag, and suction tubing and tip. To complete the kit, a drape iswrapped there-around to enclose the materials in the kit and maintainthem in sterile condition. Furthermore, the inside of the wrap or drapeis sterile so that when it is unfolded over a back table or ring stand,it serves as a sterile drape.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show progressive steps in the wrapping of the kit.Surgical kit 22 may have selected contents, as previously described. Thekit includes as its outer member a basin, and preferably two nestedbasins. The kit is placed on wrap 78, which serves to enclose the kit,maintain the sterility of the kit, and ultimately serve as a steriledrape. Wrap 78 has near and far edges 80 and 82, left and right edges 84and 86, sterile top surface 88, and outer surface 90. The outer surface90 is identified in that manner because a portion thereof will be theouter surface of the completed wrap. It will also be the under surfaceof the drape.

The width of the drape from the near edge to the far edge is sufficientthat when the drape is placed on a ring stand, it adequately drapes overthe front and back of the stand, but is not sufficiently wide so as totouch or be close to the floor. If it touches the floor or is near tothe floor, it is considered to be contaminated. Similarly, the length ofthe drape from the left edge 84 to the right edge 86 is sufficient tocover a double ring stand and adequately hang down on the left and rightto cover the ring stand but not reach close to the floor. If this samedrape is used on a single ring stand, then the left and right edgeswould be too close to the floor, and such size would be contra-indicatedin aseptic technique. Fold lines 92 and 94 permit the drape to be foldedunder, as seen from the transition from FIG. 6 to FIG. 7, to shorten theeffective length from left edge to right edge. In FIG. 7, kit, 22 isprojected above the surface of the folded drape; and, in FIG. 7, it ispositioned exactly over the center of the folded drape. The fold lines92 and 94 are spaced apart about half the diameter of a ring in the ringstand so that when folded in this manner and centered on a single ringstand, the left and right edges 84 and 86 are a suitable distance apart,with the shortening fold in place, as shown in FIG. 7, to properly drapea single ring stand.

The kit is placed on the center of the wrap 78, with the shortening foldin place, and the portion forward of fold line 96 is folded back overthe kit. Thereupon, the portion of the wrap rearward of fold line 98 isfolded forward. Now, all of the sterile surfaces are enclosed, and thestructure appears as is shown in FIG. 8. Next, first the right end isfolded up to the edge of the basin to fold line 100 and then refolded onitself over the top of the basin toward the left. Next, first the leftend is folded up to the edge of the basin to fold line 100 and thenre-folded on itself over the top of the basin toward the right andcovering the right fold. A seal 104 is applied, and the structure is asshown in FIG. 9. In this configuration, it is first sterilized byradiation and then is stored, distributed, stocked and ultimatelydelivered to the operating room for use.

When delivered to the operating room, it may be used in a single ringstand, a double ring stand, or on a back table. As a first illustrationof use, it is used with a single ring stand 10, as is shown in FIG. 9.The kit is placed in the ring stand, as is shown in FIG. 10, andunwrapped proceeds in the traditional manner of a back table coverfolded wrap. As is seen in FIG. 10, the kit is placed in the ring stand,the seal is broken, and the wrap is unfolded completely to the left.Thereupon, the wrap is completely unfolded to the right, and this is acondition seen in FIG. 11. Next, the nurse folds the far edge 82 up andback, away from the nurse, to drape behind the ring stand. FIG. 12illustrates the intermediate step when the far edge is being unfoldedaway. From the illustration of FIG. 12, the far edge is folded back.This is the first time in the unwrapping that the sterile top surface 88is exposed. The nurse should avoid touching the sterile surface 88 andonly handle that portion of the drape near its edge. Next, the near edge80 is unfolded towards the nurse and carried out and down over the frontof the ring stand so that the sterile surface 88 is exposed and the ringstand is draped. The kit is accessible for use. The sterile nurseunpackages the kit and distributes the various components, as required.All of the components are disposable, and after the operation, arecollected and disposed of, preferably in an aseptic manner.

Double ring stand 106 are seen in FIGS. 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Doublering stand 106 is similar to single ring stand 10, except for thepresence of two rings, 108 and 110, see FIG. 18. The wrapped kit 14 isplaced in ring 108, as seen in FIG. 14. The seal is broken and the wrap,which is the same wrap 78, is unfolded one fold to the left, stopping atthe first fold. The left-hand side is not completely unfolded. Next, thenurse grasps the still partially wrapped kit 22, and particularly itsbasin, in the right hand and grasps the left portion of the wrap in theleft hand. In this position, the nurse gently pulls the drape to theleft to extend it to the left. This unfolds the shortening folds 92, 94to provide adequate leftward length to adequately cover the left end ofthe double ring stand. With the shortening fold unfolded, the left endis completely unfolded down over the ring stand, to the dashed lineposition shown in FIG. 15. The right side of the drape is unfolded, aspreviously described, so the left and right edges hang down on the leftand right ends of the double ring stand. Thereupon, the far edge 82 islifted and folded back, and the front edge 80 is lifted forward anddraped down over the double ring stand, as shown in FIG. 17. The nurseunfolding the wrap so that it becomes a drape is careful not to touchthe top surface 88. The entire kit 22 rests in the right ring 108 of thering stand, and at this juncture, the sterile nurse transfers thecontents of the kit. The lower basin 30 remains in the right ring standwhile the upper basin 20 is moved to the left ring stand, as seen inFIGS. 17 and 18. The sterile nurse also distributes the remainder of thecontents of the kit, as required.

This invention has been described in its presently contemplated bestmode, and it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous modifications,modes and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art andwithout the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope ofthis invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A pitcher comprising:continuous side walls and abottom attached to said side walls so as to form a closed bottom,continuous side walled, open topped pitcher, said side walls having atop edge where said pitcher is open-topped and said side walls having abottom edge where said side walls are joined to said bottom; said sidewalls being configured so that they are tapered so as to be smalleradjacent said bottom than adjacent said top edge so that two of saidpitchers can be nested, one inside the other, said side walls beingsymmetrical about a vertical center plane which is substantially normalto said bottom, a first portion of said side walls being curved on aradius which is larger than half the distance across said upper edge sothat said first portion of said side walls join at said center plane toform a pointed spout, said side walls having a second portion which iscurved on a radius which is smaller than half the distance across saidupper edge of said side walls so that where said second curved portionof said side walls adjoin at said center plane, said side walls definean inwardly directed point, said first portion and said second portionof said side walls being substantially tangent to each other; and meanson said second portion of said side walls for defining grasp surfaces sothat said pitcher can be manually grasped on said grasp surfaces forraising said pitcher and pouring from said pitcher out of said firstpoint of said pitcher.
 2. The pitcher of claim 1 wherein said meansforgrasping includes a roughened surface attached to said second portion ofsaid side walls adjacent said upper edge thereof and facing in the samedirection as said side walls so that manual grasp of said surface aidsin grasp of said pitcher.
 3. The pitcher of claim 2 whereinsaidroughened surface is a first, upwardly facing roughened surface andthere is also a second, downwardly facing roughened surface therebelowso that both said surfaces may be grasped for engaging said pitcher. 4.The pitcher of claim 3 wherein said secondroughened surface is formed ona wall indented into said pitcher interiorly of said wall portions. 5.The pitcher of claim 4 wherein said secondsurface is defined by sidewall portions positioned inwardly from said second side wall portionsand a bottom portion positioned above said bottom so as to define arecess interiorly of said second side wall portions and above saidbottom.
 6. The pitcher of claim 5 wherein said firstroughened surface ison a flange extending outwardly from said second portion of said sidewalls.
 7. The pitcher of claim 6 wherein saidpitcher is made oftransparent material and has graduations formed on at least one sidewall portion thereof.
 8. The pitcher of claim 3 wherein bothsaidsurfaces are adjacent said center plane and are symmetrical acrosssaid center plane.
 9. The pitcher of claim 7 wherein saidinwardlydirected point between said second portions of said side walls isbetween said grasped surfaces so that fingers engaging in grasp candetermine the symmetrical center line of said pitcher by tactile sensingof said point.
 10. The pitcher of claim 9 wherein said firstroughenedsurface is on a flange extending outwardly from said second portion ofsaid side walls.
 11. The pitcher of claim 9 wherein saidpitcher is madeof transparent material and has graduations formed on at least one sidewall portion thereof.
 12. A surgical kit comprising:a circular basinhaving tapered side walls of a first radius and having a closed bottom;a kidney-shaped pan within said basin, said kidney-shaped pan havingtapered side walls and having a bottom, said tapered side wallsincluding a first, convex side wall having a first radius so that saidfirst convex side wall fits within and against the side wall of saidbasin, said kidney-shaped pan having a second concave side wall of asecond radius; a pitcher within said kit, said pitcher having taperedside walls and having a closed bottom, said pitcher being symmetricalabout a center plane and having a portion of its side walls formed atsaid first radius so as to fit within said basin and a portion of itsside walls at said second radius so as to fit against said concave sidewall of said kidney-shaped pan, said kidney-shaped pan and said pitcherbeing sized to substantially engage together and fit within said basin.13. The kit of claim 12 further includingmeans on said pitcher formanual grasp of said pitcher.
 14. The kit of claim 13 wherein saidmeansfor grasping includes a roughened surface attached to said secondportion of said side walls adjacent said upper edge thereof and facingin the same direction as said side walls so that manual grasp of saidsurface aids in grasp of said kit.
 15. The kit of claim 14 whereinsaidroughened surface is a first, upwardly facing roughened surface andthere is also a second, downwardly facing roughened surface therebelowso that both said surfaces may be grasped for engaging said kit.
 16. Thekit of claim 15 wherein both saidsurfaces are adjacent said center planeand are symmetrical across said center plane.
 17. The kit of claim 16wherein said inwardlydirected point between said second portions of saidside walls is between said grasped surfaces so that fingers engaging ingrasp can determine the symmetrical center line of said kit by tactilesensing of said point.
 18. The kit of claim 15 wherein saidsecondroughened surface is formed on a wall indented into said kitinteriorly of said wall portions.
 19. The kit of claim 18 wherein saidsecondsurface is defined by side wall portions positioned inwardly fromsaid second side wall portions and a bottom portion positioned abovesaid bottom so as to define a recess interiorly of said second side wallportions and above said bottom.
 20. The kit of claim 19 wherein saidfirstroughened surface is on a flange extending outwardly from saidsecond portion of said side walls.